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…Says “I remain Speaker”
• Faults removal, denies corruption allegations
By Lukman Olabiyi
Embattled Lagos lawmaker, Mudashiru Obasa, has faulted his removal by his colleagues as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, affirming himself as the authentic leader of the House.
The impeached lawmaker from Agege Local Government Area boasted that he remains the Speaker of the House until the “right thing is done.”
It would be recall that members of the Assembly on January 13 impeached Obasa over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.
His removal also came a few weeks after he was accused of spending N17 billion on a gate to the assembly complex.
At the plenary on January 13, the lawmakers unanimously removed Obasa who had been in the saddle since 2015 as the Speaker.
Obasa, who spoke on his removal for the first time yesterday, said it was important for the lawmakers to “follow constitutional procedure” to remove him as Speaker.
The former Speaker also debunked the allegations of corruption brought against him by the lawmakers during his removal, describing the alleged financial misappropriations as “impossible.”
The lawmaker, who addressed a huge crowd of supporters at the Speaker’s Lodge, in GRA Ikeja Lagos, defended himself over various allegations levelled against him and the recent development, said: “I am not disturbed, I am not afraid.”
Obasa clarified that there was no impeachment process in the Assembly, but rather a removal attempt that did not follow due legislative procedures.
The Speaker also addressed accusations that the House purchased over 45 Hilux vehicles for lawmakers at an inflated cost of ₦47 billion.
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He refuted the claim, stating that if divided, it would imply that each vehicle was worth ₦1 billion, which he deemed unrealistic.
Obasa insisted that the allegations were attempts to discredit his leadership and integrity, emphasizing his long-standing commitment to legislative duties and service to Lagos State.
“Is it possible to construct an ordinary gate with N16 billion? It is not the wall of Jericho or the wall that demarcated the United States of America and Mexico.
“How can they say we bought one Hilux bus for N1 billion each and that we bought 40 pieces for N40 billion? Talking about thanksgiving, they should compare the one they said we spent N200 million and the one organized by the state government.
“I am not disturbed or perturbed, and I am not afraid. I will debunk all the allegations leveled against me by the House.
“I have not done anything wrong. I have been a lawmaker for over two decades, and I am the longest-serving lawmaker in the House.
“For me, I am not disturbed, perturbed, or afraid. I will address these allegations head-on and prove my innocence,” he said.
Responding to questions from newsmen shortly after he addressed his supporters, Obasa insisted that he remained the Speaker.
“My status in the House? I believe strongly I am still the Speaker until the right thing has been done. If you want to remove me, remove me the proper way and I will not contest it.
“I’m a Muslim and I believe in fate. But let’s do it the way it should be done.”
When asked if a legal battle is in the offing, Obasa responded: “You will know . It’s a matter of time. Thank you and God bless you.”
